Staten Island Academy students get lessons in life and lyrics from Eger Harbor House Assisted Living

Antoinette Anniccharico, a resident of Eger Harbor House, and Sarah Vishev, a fifth-grade student from Staten Island Academy, talk about some of the events Mrs. Annicchairico has experienced during her life.
(Photo Courtesy of Joan Harrison)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. - DONGAN HILLS/EGBERTVILLE - It is a choir that spans the ages.

On one side, you have fifth-grade students, mostly 11-year-olds, from Staten Island Academy, Dongan Hills. On the other, you have a group of seniors from the Eger Harbor House Assisted Living residence in Egbertville. Their average age is 80.

Put them together and you have an "intergenerational" chorus that has brought enjoyment to music lovers of all ages.

The program began in December, when the fifth-grade chorus first visited the Eger Harbor House as a service project, to perform for the residents. Their time there was so enjoyable that the Academy sought to broaden the experience both for the seniors and the students by encouraging the seniors not to just sing-along as an audience, but to actively get involved.

"This project has lifted the seniors' whole spirits up," said Annette Abolt, activities director at Eger House. "A couple of days before each rehearsal, the seniors start to get excited about the students' visit. And, on the day of, they are up especially early and very much looking forward to meeting their young partners. It's lovely to see."

Learning music together and helping each other in the process has encouraged the students' understanding and respect for the young at heart. Simultaneously, the seniors have benefited from the enthusiasm and energy of a younger generation.

Staten Island Academy has broadened the intergenerational experience into the students' English and history classes. The school has grouped two or three students with a senior partner. Students have interviewed their partners extensively to learn about their personal histories and life experiences. The students are writing biographical poems to present to the seniors.

"This has been a wonderful learning experience for the children," said English teacher Ann Greenfield.

"Some of the seniors have been able to tell the students about their experiences during World War II, which the students are currently learning about in history class. I could see the connections being made in the students' minds as that information sunk in" she continued. "Their conversations have helped them form some very strong bonds."

The seniors selected the songs that the choir will sing together. These include "Singing in the Rain" and "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" as well as "I've Got Rhythm".

"A couple of the seniors remarked that "Let Me Call You Sweetheart" was their wedding song," said Jacqueline Stevens, the Academy's choral teacher. "Some of the old standards that we've been practicing just transport the seniors back to their youth in a nanosecond. The students can see how touched the seniors are by the memories of dancing at their weddings to these wonderful old numbers."

Members of the Intergenerational Choir understandably brought down the house last week when they performed at Staten Island Academy in a concert for the families of students and the seniors.

"Oh I was so much looking forward to it" said Antoinette Anniccharico, one of the seniors. "I've enjoyed every bit of the rehearsals and getting to know my three little friends. They just brighten up my whole day," she said.